In Roman religion, Portunes (alternatively spelled Portumnes or Portunus) was a god of keys, doors and livestock. He protected the warehouses where grain was stored. Probably because of folk associations between porta "gate, door" and portus "harbor", the "gateway" to the sea, Portunus later became conflated with Palaemon and evolved into a god primarily of ports and harbors. In the Latin adjective importunus his name was applied to untimely waves and weather and contrary winds, and the Latin echoes in English opportune and its old-fashioned antonym importune, meaning "well timed' and "badly timed". Hence Portunus is behind both an opportunity and importunate or badly timed solicitations.
Last edited by Pontifex Maximus; October 28, 2016 at 11:52 AM.
Gaius Furius Sulpicianus took his position in the Temple. Since the prior flamen had completely botched the ceremony, it fell to him to redo it and in such a way that would not bring discredit to his small cult. If the ritual wasn't performed exactly correct, he would disgrace himself as well as the Roman people, acting as their agent before this ancient and archaic god. Gaius wasn't nervous, he knew he could perform the ceremony just fine as long as he stayed focused.
Deftly, he grasped the persillum of sacred oil and approached the statue of Quirinus. He uncorked the bottle and doled out some of the sacred oil onto his hands. Lightly he touched the statue where the spear was held by Quirinus, the ancient god of the people of Rome. "Quirinus, we stand before you humbly in order to show our devotion to you, and in acknowledgement of the many services you have shown the people of Rome throughout the centuries. You show us the way, and inform us. You let us know when the right time to perform a certain action manifests."
Gaius took more oil and smeared it on the spear with his thumb. "For the next year, inspire us, and keep us. Lead us to take the initiatives at the right time, and to know when to act."
The ritual having been successfully completed, Gaius stepped down from the dais so that the feast could begin.
Templum Portunes
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